Elon Women’s Track & Field Completes Day One at Liberty Open

LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Elon University women’s track and field team completed day one of competition at the Liberty Open on Friday evening, Jan. 17, at the Tolsma Indoor Track facility. The Phoenix had several performers place in the weight throw and pole vault events, including runner-up finishes by Claire Smith (pole vault) and Charlise Morgan (weight throw).

“I am pleased how the weight throw and the pole vault group did for us today,” said Elon head coach Mark Elliston. “I hope it inspires the rest of the team to pick it up a notch themselves and I look forward to tomorrow’s results.”

Morgan threw a distance of 53’1.5” (16.19m) in her first indoor event of the year and finished second overall. Kayleigh Birks also joined Morgan in the top three with her toss of 50’5.25” (15.37m), now the third-best mark in school history. Kimberlyn Holt had a throw of 44’5.25 (13.54m) and freshman Briana O’Grady with her mark of 40’10.25” (12.45m) rounded out the weight throw group for Elon.

In the pole vault, Smith also finished second with a cleared height of 10’10” (3.30m). Melinda Hersey also competed for the maroon and gold and had a cleared height of 9’10” (3.00m).

The Phoenix will return tomorrow, Jan. 18, at Liberty for the second and final day of competition. The meet resumes at 9 a.m. with the men’s weight throw followed by running events at 11 a.m. with the women’s 60-meter hurdle prelims.

Day One Results